Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for input tokens while Gemma 4 31B costs $0.12 per 1M tokens.
API cost decision in 10 seconds
Gemma 4 31B vs Laguna XS.2 (free)
Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) when budget is the priority.
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Data confirmed:
Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens
Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output
Budget verdict
Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) when budget is the priority.
On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.29 for Gemma 4 31B, saving $0.29 (100% lower).
Cost-first pickLaguna XS.2 (free)
Context-first pickBoth models
Sample savings$0.29100%
10x traffic gap$2.95
The reported context window is tied, so cost and provider fit carry more weight. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $2.95. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.
Cost sensitivity
Workload Sensitivity
Laguna XS.2 (free) stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.
| Workload shape | Token mix | Better pick | Gemma 4 31B | Laguna XS.2 (free) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input-heavy / RAG | 5M input + 500K output | Laguna XS.2 (free) | $0.77 | $0 |
| Balanced workload | 1M input + 1M output | Laguna XS.2 (free) | $0.47 | $0 |
| Output-heavy chatbot | 1M input + 5M output | Laguna XS.2 (free) | $1.87 | $0 |
Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for output tokens while Gemma 4 31B costs $0.35 per 1M tokens.
Both models report the same context window at 262.14K tokens.
Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $0.29.
Estimate your workload cost
Your Workload Cost
This estimate uses normalized public API pricing per 1M tokens. It is a planning aid, not a billing quote. Verify provider pricing, limits, and terms before production use.
Quick Decision
Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower input price; Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower output price; both models report the same context window. For the 1M input plus 500K output sample, Laguna XS.2 (free) is cheaper for the standard workload.
For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $0.29 for Gemma 4 31B and $0 for Laguna XS.2 (free).
Choose Gemma 4 31B when its provider, model quality, latency, or availability is more important than the numeric price/context winner.
Choose Laguna XS.2 (free) when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.
- On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.29 for Gemma 4 31B, saving $0.29 (100% lower).
- Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $0.29.
- Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for input tokens while Gemma 4 31B costs $0.12 per 1M tokens.
- Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for output tokens while Gemma 4 31B costs $0.35 per 1M tokens.
- Both models report the same context window at 262.14K tokens.
| Feature | Gemma 4 31B (Google) | Laguna XS.2 (free) (Poolside) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price prompt tokens per 1M | $0.12 | $0 |
| Completion Price per 1M tokens | $0.35 | $0 |
| Sample Workload Cost 1M input + 500K output | $0.29 | $0 |
| Context Window | 262.14K | 262.14K |
| Release Date | ||
| Popularity | #36 | #47 |
Use-Case Decision Matrix
| Use case | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-constrained production | Laguna XS.2 (free) | On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.29 for Gemma 4 31B, saving $0.29 (100% lower). |
| High-volume input processing | Laguna XS.2 (free) | Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts, retrieved passages, or documents dominate the bill. |
| Long responses and chatbots | Laguna XS.2 (free) | Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens. |
| RAG or long-document work | Tie | A larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages, conversation history, or source files. |
Related Alternatives
- Gemma 4 31B (free) can replace Gemma 4 31B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Gemma 4 26B A4B (free) can replace Gemma 4 31B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Lyria 3 Pro Preview can replace Gemma 4 31B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Lyria 3 Clip Preview can replace Gemma 4 31B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Llama 4 Scout offers 10M context with $0.25 sample workload cost.
- Owl Alpha offers 1.05M context with $0 sample workload cost.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash offers 1.05M context with $0.17 sample workload cost.
- MiMo-V2.5 offers 1.05M context with $0.24 sample workload cost.
- DeepSeek V4 Flash · DeepSeek · #1
- Hy3 preview · Tencent · #2
- MiMo-V2.5 · Xiaomi · #3
- MiniMax M3 · MiniMax · #4
Cheaper alternatives
Review low-cost models sorted by a standard 1M input plus 500K output workload.
Open cheapest modelsLarger context alternatives
Find models with larger context windows for RAG, long documents, and codebase review.
Open largest context modelsProvider catalogs
Compare models within provider hubs before choosing a final API vendor.
Open provider hubsGoogle catalog
Review all tracked Google models before deciding whether this matchup is the right shortlist.
Open Google modelsPoolside catalog
Check other Poolside models with comparable pricing, context, or release timing.
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